The next task for the study group is a virtual tour of Italian and Spanish Baroque art using Google Art Project.  This assignment seeks to introduce you to the world of museums, a vital part of study for any art history student.  There are two focuses of this assignment, which should be given equal weight.  First, you should thoroughly explore the assigned museums, getting a sense for the way in which different museums are organized, as well as a sense of scale of the artworks.  Second, you will be assigned specific works of art to view up close. 

Instructions: For this museum visit, you will be virtually exploring the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany.  To start off, visit the Gemäldegalerie on Google Art Project (you will find the link listed under "External Links").  Once you are there, you can either begin by navigating through the museum from the gallery in which you are placed, or you can click “Floor Plan” at the right of the screen to jump to different rooms of the museum.  Of particular importance for our purposes are rooms XIII and XIV.  Virtually navigate through at least these two rooms, viewing the works of art on the walls.  You are encouraged to look around the other rooms in the museum, to get a sense for the museum and the works of art in its collection.  When you have finished virtually touring, be sure to view the following specific works of art: The Three Musicians (Diego Velázquez), Cupid as Victor (Caravaggio), and Mary with the Child, John the Baptist, and a Holy Boy (Raphael).  (Links to all of these images are posted under "External Links.")  For each of these paintings, you should zoom in to view close details of the paintings and you should also read the “Viewing Notes” (where applicable) at the right margin of the screen.  You will be required to write a brief response comparing and contrasting either the Velázquez or the Caravaggio painting to the earlier Italian Renaissance painting by Raphael, so pay careful attention and make notes as you observe these paintings.